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Guilty Plea In White Bear Lake Bar Robbery

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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A previously convicted felon pleaded guilty in Minneapolis Federal Court on Friday to charges in connection with the armed robbery of a White Bear Lake bar last November.

Percy Davis Peters pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He was indicted Feb. 8, and one of the other two men involved in the crime has already pleaded guilty. Prosecution is continuing against the last suspect.

In his plea agreement, Peters admitted that on Nov. 27, 2010, he and two other men traveled to the White Bear Bar in White Bear Lake for a robbery. He also admitted that he was provided a gun, and that the three men robbed the bar at gunpoint. He also said his gun discharged during the robbery.

Court documents in the case said three men entered the bar just before closing time. With more than 50 patrons in the bar, the robbers brandished guns and told everyone to get down on the floor. Surveillance video shows the men pushing customers.

During the robbery, a patron grabbed the barrel one of the men’s guns and a fight followed. During that fight, the gun discharged and struck a patron in the leg.

After grabbing money from the office safe and from customers, two men fled to a get-away car across the street where the third suspect was waiting. They fled in a vehicle.

A White Bear Lake Police officer late found a car matching the suspect vehicle description and chased the car, which turned into an apartment complex and crashed into a snow bank. The three men fled, and two weapons were ditched.

Peters faces at least 10 years in prison and could face a maximum penalty of life in prison.